A Push for Tree Trimming in Fairfax

In Virginia, some members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors are working on a new set of regulations for tree trimmers.

Adam Wingo uses a series of ropes to scale up a silver maple in Fairfax County. A resident has hired him to remove branches scraping against a home roof. Wingo says Virginia could play a better role in helping consumers.

"I would welcome regulation because it would separate the what from the chaff," he says.

Fairfax Supervisor Jeff McKay says police have responded to a number of complaints about tree trimmers charging exorbitant fees and performing unnecessary work. He says he would like to see Virginia create a system of licensing so the state could go after scam artists.

"What we are looking for is to try to come up with penalties for folks who are in the neighborhood preying on elderly," he says.

McKay says he'll be working with members of the General Assembly to determine the best strategy for crafting new regulations.

Michael Pope reports...